# NTSB MIA87LA021: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601P, N8002J, Jacksonville, FL, November 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1986, 20:24 local (Nov 5, 1986, 01:24 UTC)
- Place: Jacksonville, FL
- Coordinates: 30.330101, -81.580352 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3301&lon=-81.5804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31818/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA021

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil seal - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil seal - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - initiated
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - precautionary landing - initiated
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - inadvertent deactivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - performed
  - lowering of flaps - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE LEFT ENGINE BEGAN LOSING POWER AND OIL PRESSURE. HE STATED THAT HE THEN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND FEATHERED THE PROPELLER. HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND DESCENDED TO LAND. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, HE LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR AND SELECTED FULL FLAPS TO SLOW THE AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THE AIRSPEED DECAYED AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO ROLL AND YAW TO THE LEFT. SUBSEQUEDNTLY, IT CONTACTED THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE, THEN PARTIALLY CARTWHEELED BEFORE COMING TO REST. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT A TURBO- CHARGER OIL SEAL HAD DETERIORATED & FAILED, ALLOWING OIL TO ESCAPE THROUGH THE TURBOCHARGER EXHAUST. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF THE BEGINNING OF PROGRESSIVE FAILURE OF THE TURBOCHARGER. ALSO, THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS NOT FULLY FEATHERED AND THAT IT WAS WINDMILLING AT IMPACT. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT HE MAY HAVE MOVED THE LEFT PROP CONTROL OUT OF THE FEATHER POSITION BY MISTAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8002J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8002J-1989-11-17), registration cancelled 1989-11-17, S/N 61P0488198 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar 601P
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-0499-198
- Airframe hours: 2435
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Sandman Assoc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 18, 1986, 17 hours before
- Departed: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC
- Destination: APF, NAPLES, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JAX, Jacksonville, runway 7, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,180 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 50° at 3 knots, gusting 3
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JAX

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19861104081849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861104081849A), Nov 4, 1986: Piper PA60601P, Jacksonville, FL, Destroyed. Left turbocharger seal failed, leading to engine shutdown. Pilot failed to maintain airspeed on final. Cartwheeled.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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